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Business
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9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2012
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| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
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Business
We broadcast our music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels in the United States on a subscription fee basis through two proprietary satellite radio systems. Subscribers can also receive certain of our music and other channels over the Internet, including through applications for mobile devices. We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radios as factory- or dealer-installed equipment in their vehicles. We also acquire subscribers through the sale or lease of previously owned vehicles with factory-installed satellite radios. We distribute our satellite radios through retail locations nationwide and through our website. Satellite radio services are also offered to customers of certain daily rental car companies.
Our primary source of revenue is subscription fees, with most of our customers subscribing on an annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis. We offer discounts for prepaid and long-term subscription plans, as well as discounts for multiple subscriptions on each platform. We also derive revenue from activation and other subscription-related fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music channels, the direct sale of satellite radios, components and accessories, and other ancillary services, such as our Internet radio, Backseat TV, data, traffic, and weather services.
In certain cases, automakers include a subscription to our radio services in the sale or lease price of new and previously owned vehicles. The length of these prepaid subscriptions varies, but is typically three to twelve months. In many cases, we receive subscription payments from automakers in advance of the activation of our service. We also reimburse various automakers for certain costs associated with satellite radios installed in their vehicles.
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